Cowboys Gameday: Five things to watch

Updated 8:49 pm, Saturday, November 17, 2012

Here's what Express-News staff writer Tom Orsborn says you should keep an eye on during today's game:

1. A hard-fought game: Don't let the Browns' 2-7 record fool you. Cleveland isn't as bad as its record indicates.

Four of its losses have been by seven points or less, and only one was by more than 10. Coming off a much-needed bye week, the Browns believe they're primed to go toe-to-toe with the resurgent Cowboys.

“As coaches, we got a chance to sit down and evaluate what went right early in the year and what didn't go well and what we want to try to focus on. That part was good,” Browns coach Pat Shurmur, whose team has lost two straight and seven of its last 10, told the Associated Press. “The players got a chance to get away a little bit and take advantage of some much-needed rest.”

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Dallas is coming off an emotional 38-23 win at Philadelphia that thrust it back into the playoff mix. In snapping a two-game losing streak, the Cowboys got touchdowns from their offense, defense and special teams.

Quarterback Tony Romo said he and his teammates are determined to avoid a letdown today, but don't forget the Cowboys are prone to pratfalls at home. Since going 6-2 at Cowboys Stadium in its inaugural 2009 season, Dallas is 8-11 at the $1.2 billion palace, including 1-2 this season.

“My aggressive manner, my mindset, sometimes gets me in trouble, but I'm not going to take that away from myself,” the 29-year-old Oklahoma State alumnus told the Akron Beacon Journal. “I agree I've got to take care of the football. I've got to cut down on them . ... But I don't let it get to the front of my mind where I'm so paranoid about throwing interceptions, I don't take shots.”

That stubborn attitude could play right into the hands of Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who coaches the league's ninth-ranked unit (327.7 yards allowed per game) and is known for confusing rookie passers with exotic blitzes.

Weeden has completed 185 of 336 passes (55.1 percent) for 2,088 yards and nine touchdowns. He's tied for second in the league in interceptions – only Romo has more (13) – and his passer rating is 67.9.

3. Romo's priorities: Winning is, of course, No. 1. But having put together two straight games without a turnover, Romo seems to have elevated ball security to No. 2 again.

That's good news for Dallas, considering it plays its next three games at home, where Romo has thrown 10 of his 13 picks. Over the last two home games — losses to Chicago and the New York Giants — he threw a combined nine interceptions.

“I don't know,” Romo said last week when asked to explain the rash of turnovers at Cowboys Stadium. “We haven't had ... I mean, how many games have we had at home? Three? We'll see as the season continues to progress. I think we're going to be better.”

4. Two inspired youngsters: Browns rookies Trent Richardson and Josh Gordon will arrive at Cowboys Stadium highly motivated to have their best games.

Richardson can become the first Cleveland rookie to rush for 100 yards in three consecutive games, but his fuel for this one comes from the possibility his idol, NFL rushing king Emmitt Smith, will be in attendance.

Richardson and Smith are alums of Escambia High School in Pensacola, Fla., and have developed a pupil-mentor relationship.

“I'm one of Emmitt's biggest fans, so it would mean a lot to me if he's at the game,” Richardson told an Ohio newspaper.

Even if Smith isn't there, expect Richardson to run strong after using the bye week to recover from a rib injury.

Gordon's fire comes from his childhood hatred for the Cowboys. The speedy receiver from Houston leads NFL rookies in receiving yards with 417 and is tied for first in receiving touchdowns with four and his average of 21.9 yards.

“Honestly, being from Houston, we never really liked the Cowboys much,” Gordon said.

5. Ware vs. Thomas: Two of the best at their positions will square off when Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware lines up over Browns left tackle Joe Thomas.

“Keep a close eye on this battle as the day wears on because the one that is winning it will make a big difference for his team,” wrote former NFL scout Bryan Broaddus in a piece for DallasCowboys.com.

Thomas excels at sustaining his blocks in rushing and pass situations. With that in mind, look for Ryan to slide Ware over to the strong side early to test rookie right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.

Ware is third in the league in sacks with 9 1/2.

“The guy does everything great,” said Thomas, via Cleveland.com. “You'd be hard-pressed to find a better outside linebacker in the NFL in the last 150-plus years. Everything he does is phenomenal. He's the type of guy that you try to keep quiet, but you can't shut him down no matter what you do for a whole game.”

Prediction

The psychological damage from losing to the lowly Browns would bring the Cowboys to their knees, which is why cornerback Brandon Carr labeled this one a must-win affair just like the Eagles game last week. It will be close, but if there's an upset to come during this cupcake portion of Dallas' schedule, it'll be on Thanksgiving when Robert Griffin III and the Redskins come to town.